Abstract: Diets high in processed foods have been found to lack
essential micro-nutrients for optimum human development and
overall health. Some micro-nutrients such as copper (Cu) have been
found to enhance the inflammatory response through its oxidative
functions, thereby having a role in cardiovascular disease, metabolic
syndrome, diabetes and related complications. This research study
was designed to determine if food crops could be bio-fortified with
micro-nutrients by growing sprouts on mineral fortified fiber mats. In
the feasibility study described in this contribution, recycled cellulose
fibers and clay, saturated with either micro-nutrient copper ions or
copper nanoparticles, were converted to a novel mineral-cellulose
fiber carrier of essential micro-nutrient and of antimicrobial
properties. Seeds of Medicago sativa (alfalfa), purchased from a
commercial, organic supplier were germinated on engineered
cellulose fiber mats. After the appearance of the first leaves, the
sprouts were dehydrated and analyzed for Cu content. Nutrient
analysis showed ~2 increase in Cu of the sprouts grown on the fiber
mats with copper particles, and ~4 increase on mats with ionic copper
as compared to the control samples. This study illustrates the
potential for the use of engineered mats as a viable way to increase
the micro-nutrient composition of locally-grown food crops and the
need for additional research to determine the uptake, nutritional
implications and risks of micro-nutrient bio-fortification.
Abstract: Concurrent planning of project scheduling and
material ordering can provide more flexibility to the project
scheduling problem, as the project execution costs can be enhanced.
Hence, the issue has been taken into account in this paper. To do so, a
mixed-integer mathematical model is developed which considers the
aforementioned flexibility, in addition to the materials quantity
discount and space availability restrictions. Moreover, the activities
duration has been treated as decision variables. Finally, the efficiency
of the proposed model is tested by different instances. Additionally,
the influence of the aforementioned parameters is investigated on the
model performance.
Abstract: Nature constantly changes as a result of human
necessities. This change mostly feels in natural water sources which
are reconstructed with an effect of dams and motorways. In other
respects, visual quality of the landscape gets a new and different
character during and after the construction of dams and motorways.
Changing and specialization new landscapes will be very important
to protection-usage balance to explore sustainable usage facilities.
The main cause of the selection of Artvin city is that it has very
important geographical location and one of the most attraction points
in the World with its biodiversity, conservation areas and natural
landscape characteristics. Many hydroelectric station and 7 dams are
situated, 3 of them have already been built on the Çoruh River in the
province of Artvin. As a result of dams, motorways route were reshaped
and the ways which have already changed because of
elevation is directly affected several of natural destruction. In
contrast, many different reservoirs in Coruh Basin provide new vista
point that has high visual quality. In this study, we would like to
evaluate with sustainable landscape design in 76 km river corridor,
which is mainly based on Deriner, Borçka and Muratlı Dams and
determination of their basin-lakes recreational potential and
opportunities. Lastly, we are going to give some suggestion about the
potential of the corridor.
Abstract: This paper concentrates on the sustainable traditional
architecture and urban planning in hot-humid regions of Iran. In a
vast country such as Iran with different climatic zones traditional
builders have presented series of logical solutions for human comfort.
The aim of this paper is to demonstrate traditional architecture in hothumid
climate of Iran as a sample of sustainable architecture. Iranian
traditional architecture has been able to response to environmental
problems for a long period of time. Its features are based on climatic
factors, local construction materials of hot-humid regions and culture.
This paper concludes that Iranian traditional architecture can be
addressed as a sustainable architecture.
Abstract: The paper discusses the problem of load transport
using farm tractors and road tractor units. This type of carriage of
goods is often done with farm vehicles. The tests were performed
with the PEMS equipment (Portable Emission Measurement System)
under actual traffic conditions. The vehicles carried a load of 20000
kg. This research method is one of the most desired because it
provides reliable information on the actual vehicle emissions and fuel
consumption (carbon balance method). For the tests, a route was
selected that simulated a trip from a small town to a food-processing
facility located in a city. The analysis of the obtained results gave a
clear answer as to what vehicles need to be used for carriage of this
type of cargo in terms of exhaust emissions and fuel consumption.
Abstract: In this paper, the unstable angle of attack of a
FOXTROT aircraft is controlled by using Genetic Algorithm based
flight controller and the result is compared with the conventional
techniques like Tyreus-Luyben (TL), Ziegler-Nichols (ZN) and
Interpolation Rule (IR) for tuning the PID controller. In addition, the
performance indices like Mean Square Error (MSE), Integral Square
Error (ISE), and Integral Absolute Time Error (IATE) etc. are
improved by using Genetic Algorithm. It was established that the
error by using GA is very less as compared to the conventional
techniques thereby improving the performance indices of the
dynamic system.
Abstract: Given the increase in the number of e-commerce sites,
the number of competitors has become very important. This means
that companies have to take appropriate decisions in order to meet the
expectations of their customers and satisfy their needs. In this paper,
we present a case study of applying LRFM (length, recency,
frequency and monetary) model and clustering techniques in the
sector of electronic commerce with a view to evaluating customers’
values of the Moroccan e-commerce websites and then developing
effective marketing strategies. To achieve these objectives, we adopt
LRFM model by applying a two-stage clustering method. In the first
stage, the self-organizing maps method is used to determine the best
number of clusters and the initial centroid. In the second stage, kmeans
method is applied to segment 730 customers into nine clusters
according to their L, R, F and M values. The results show that the
cluster 6 is the most important cluster because the average values of
L, R, F and M are higher than the overall average value. In addition,
this study has considered another variable that describes the mode of
payment used by customers to improve and strengthen clusters’
analysis. The clusters’ analysis demonstrates that the payment method is
one of the key indicators of a new index which allows to assess the
level of customers’ confidence in the company's Website.
Abstract: Numerical study of the static response of
homogeneous clay stratum considering a wide range of cohesion and
subject to foundation loads is presented. The linear elastic–perfectly
plastic constitutive relation with the von Mises yield criterion were
utilised to develop a numerically cost effective finite element model
for the soil while imposing a rigid body constrain to the foundation
footing. From the analyses carried out, estimate of the bearing
capacity factor, Nc as well as the ultimate load-carrying capacities of
these soils, effect of cohesion on foundation settlements, stress fields
and failure propagation were obtained. These are consistent with
other findings in the literature and hence can be a useful guide in
design of safe foundations in clay soils for buildings and other
structure.
Abstract: Cooperative groups through much research have been
recognized to churn remarkable achievements instead of solitary or
individualistic efforts. Based on Johnson and Johnson’s model of
cooperative learning, the five key components of cooperation are
positive interdependence, face-to-face promotive interaction,
individual accountability, social skills, and group processing. In
2011, the Malaysian Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE)
introduced the Holistic Student Development policy with the aim to
develop morally sound individuals equipped with lifelong learning
skills. The Community Service project was included in the
improvement initiative. The purpose of this study is to assess the
relationship of team-based learning in facilitating particularly
students’ positive interdependence and face-to-face promotive
interaction. The research methods involve in-depth interviews with
the team leaders and selected team members, and a content analysis
of the undergraduate students’ reflective journals. A significant
positive relationship was found between students’ progressive
outlook towards teamwork and the highlighted two components. The
key findings show that students have gained in their individual
learning and work results through teamwork and interaction with
other students. The inclusion of Community Service as a MOHE
subject resonates with cooperative learning methods that enhances
supportive relationships and develops students’ social skills together
with their professional skills.
Abstract: Broiler slaughter waste has become a major source of
pollution throughout the world. Utilization of broiler slaughter waste
by dry rendering process produced Rendered Chicken Oil (RCO), a
cheap raw material for biodiesel production and Carcass Meal a feed
ingredient for pets and fishes. Conversion of RCO into biodiesel may
open new vistas for generating wealth from waste besides controlling
the major havoc of environmental pollution. A two-step process to
convert RCO to good quality Biodiesel was invented. Acid catalysed
esterification of FFA followed by base catalysed transesterification of
triglycerides was carried out after meticulously standardizing the
methanol molar ratio, catalyst concentration, reaction temperature,
and reaction time to obtain the maximum biodiesel yield of 97.62%
and lowest glycerol yield of 6.96%. RCO biodiesel blend was tested
in a CRDI diesel engine. The results revealed that the blending of
commercial diesel with 20% RCO biodiesel (B20) lead to less engine
wear, a quieter engine and better fuel economy. The better lubricating
qualities of RCO B20 prevented over heating of engine, which
prolongs the engine life. RCO B20 can reduce the import of crude oil
and substantially reduce the engine emissions as proved by
significantly lower smoke levels, thus mitigating climatic changes.
Abstract: The purpose of this research is to investigate the
marketing mix that is perceived to be important for the small sized
hotels in Pattaya. This research provides insights through a review of
the marketing activities performed by the small sized hotels. Nine
owners & marketing manager of small sized hotels and resorts, all
local Chonburi people, were selected for an in-depth interview. The
research suggests that seven marketing mixes (e.g. Product, Price,
Place, Promotion, People, Physical Evidence and Process) were
commonly used by these hotels, however, three types – People, Price
and Physical Evidence were considered most important by the
owners.
Abstract: The main cause of Alzheimer disease (AD) was
believed to be mainly due to the accumulation of free radicals owing
to oxidative stress (OS) in brain tissue. The mechanism of the
neurotoxicity of Aluminum chloride (AlCl3) induced AD in
hippocampus Albino wister rat brain tissue, the curative & the
protective effects of Lipidium sativum group (LS) water extract were
assessed after 8 weeks by attenuated total reflection spectroscopy
ATR-IR and histologically by light microscope. ATR-IR results
revealed that the membrane phospholipid undergo free radical
attacks, mediated by AlCl3, primary affects the polyunsaturated fatty
acids indicated by the increased of the olefinic -C=CH sub-band area
around 3012 cm-1 from the curve fitting analysis. The narrowing in
the half band width (HBW) of the sνCH2 sub-band around 2852 cm-1
due to Al intoxication indicates the presence of trans form fatty acids
rather than gauch rotomer. The degradation of hydrocarbon chain to
shorter chain length, increasing in membrane fluidity, disorder, and
decreasing in lipid polarity in AlCl3 group indicated by the detected
changes in certain calculated area ratios compared to the control.
Administration of LS was greatly improved these parameters
compared to the AlCl3 group. Al influences the Aβ aggregation and
plaque formation, which in turn interferes to and disrupts the
membrane structure. The results also showed a marked increase in
the β-parallel and antiparallel structure, that characterize the Aβ
formation in Al-induced AD hippocampal brain tissue, indicated by
the detected increase in both amide I sub-bands around 1674, 1692
cm-1. This drastic increase in Aβ formation was greatly reduced in the
curative and protective groups compared to the AlCl3 group and
approached nearly the control values. These results supported too by
the light microscope. AlCl3 group showed significant marked
degenerative changes in hippocampal neurons. Most cells appeared
small, shrieked and deformed. Interestingly, the administration of LS
in curative and protective groups markedly decreases the amount of
degenerated cells compared to the non-treated group. In addition, the
intensity of congo red stained cells was decreased. Hippocampal
neurons looked more/or less similar to those of control. This study showed a promising therapeutic effect of Lipidium
sativum group (LS) on AD rat model that seriously overcome the
signs of oxidative stress on membrane lipid and restore the protein
misfolding.
Abstract: Lagos urban mini bus drivers play a critical role in the
transportation sector. The current major mode of transportation
within Lagos metropolis remains road transportation and this
confirms the relevance of urban mini-bus drivers in transporting the
populace to their various destinations. Other modes of transportation
such as the train and waterways are currently inadequate. Various
threats to the well-being of urban bus drivers include congested
traffic typical of modern day lifestyles, dwindling financial returns
due to long hours in traffic, fewer hours of sleep, inadequate diet,
time pressure, and assaults related to fare disputes. Several healthrelated
problems have been documented to be associated with urban
bus driving. For instance, greater rates of hypertension, obesity and
cholesterol level have been reported. Research studies are yet to
identify the influence of age and marital status on the well-being of
urban mini-bus drivers in Lagos metropolis. A study of this nature is
necessary as it is culturally perceived in Nigeria that older and
married people are especially influenced by family affiliation and
would behave in ways that would project positive outcomes. The
study sample consisted of 150 urban mini-bus drivers who were
conveniently sampled from six (6) different terminuses where their
journey begins and terminates. The well-being questionnaire was
administered to participants. The criteria for inclusion in the study
included the ability to read in English language and the confirmation
that interested participants were on duty and suited to be driving
mini-buses. Due to the nature of the job of bus driving, the researcher
administered the questionnaires on participants who were free and
willing to respond to the survey. All participants were males of
various age groups and of different marital statuses. Results of
analyses conducted revealed no significant influence of age and
marital status on the well-being of urban mini-bus drivers. This
indicates that the well-being of urban mini bus drivers is not
influenced by age or marital status. The findings of this study have
cultural implications. It negates the popularly held belief that older
and married people care more about their well-being than younger
and single people. It brings to fore the need to also identify and
consider other factors when certifying people for the job of urban bus
driving.
Abstract: Highly developed technology and highly competitive
global market highlight the important role of competitive advantages
and operation performances in sustainable company operation.
Activity-Based Costing (ABC) provides accurate operation cost and
operation performance information. Rich literatures provide relevant
research with cases study on Activity-Based Costing application, but
the research on cause relationship between key success factors and its
specific outcome, such as profitability or share market are few. These
relationships provide the ways to handle the key success factors to
achieve the specific outcomes for ensuring to promote the competitive
advantages and operation performances. The main purposes of this
research are exploring the key success paths by Key Success Paths
approach which will lead the ways to apply Activity-Base Costing.
The Key Success Paths is the innovative method which is exploring
the cause relationships and explaining what are the effects of key
success factors to specific outcomes of Activity-Based Costing
implementation. The cause relationships between key success factors
and successful specific outcomes are Key Success Paths (KSPs). KSPs
are the guidelines to lead the cost management strategies to achieve the
goals of competitive advantages and operation performances. The
research findings indicate that good management system design may
affect the well outcomes of Activity-Based Costing application and
achieve to outstanding competitive advantage, operating performance
and profitability as well by KSPs exploration.
Abstract: This study was aimed to measure effective transverse
relaxation rates (R2*) in the liver and muscle of normal New Zealand
White (NZW) rabbits. R2* relaxation rate has been widely used in
various hepatic diseases for iron overload by quantifying iron contents
in liver. R2* relaxation rate is defined as the reciprocal of T2*
relaxation time and mainly depends on the constituents of tissue.
Different tissues would have different R2* relaxation rates. The signal
intensity decay in Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be
characterized by R2* relaxation rates. In this study, a 1.5T GE Signa
HDxt whole body MR scanner equipped with an 8-channel high
resolution knee coil was used to observe R2* values in NZW rabbit’s
liver and muscle. Eight healthy NZW rabbits weighted 2 ~ 2.5 kg were
recruited. After anesthesia using Zoletil 50 and Rompun 2% mixture,
the abdomen of rabbit was landmarked at the center of knee coil to
perform 3-plane localizer scan using fast spoiled gradient echo
(FSPGR) pulse sequence. Afterwards, multi-planar fast gradient echo
(MFGR) scans were performed with 8 various echo times (TEs) to
acquire images for R2* measurements. Regions of interest (ROIs) at
liver and muscle were measured using Advantage workstation.
Finally, the R2* was obtained by a linear regression of ln(sı) on TE.
The results showed that the longer the echo time, the smaller the signal
intensity. The R2* values of liver and muscle were 44.8 ± 10.9 s-1 and
37.4 ± 9.5 s-1, respectively. It implies that the iron concentration of
liver is higher than that of muscle. In conclusion, the more the iron
contents in tissue, the higher the R2*. The correlations between R2*
and iron content in NZW rabbits might be valuable for further
exploration.
Abstract: Chatter vibrations, occurring during cutting process,
cause vibration between the cutting tool and workpiece, which
deteriorates surface roughness and reduces tool life. The purpose of
this study is to investigate the influence of cutting parameters and
tool construction on surface roughness and vibration in turning of
aluminum alloy AA2024. A new design of cutting tool is proposed,
which is filled up with epoxy granite in order to improve damping
capacity of the tool. Experiments were performed at the lathe using
carbide cutting insert coated with TiC and two different cutting tools
made of AISI 5140 steel. Taguchi L9 orthogonal array was applied to
design of experiment and to optimize cutting conditions. By the help
of signal-to-noise ratio and analysis of variance the optimal cutting
condition and the effect of the cutting parameters on surface
roughness and vibration were determined. Effectiveness of Taguchi
method was verified by confirmation test. It was revealed that new
cutting tool with epoxy granite has reduced vibration and surface
roughness due to high damping properties of epoxy granite in
toolholder.
Abstract: Noninvasive diagnostics of diseases via breath
analysis has attracted considerable scientific and clinical interest for
many years and become more and more promising with the rapid
advancements in nanotechnology and biotechnology. The volatile
organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled breath, which are mainly
blood borne, particularly provide highly valuable information about
individuals’ physiological and pathophysiological conditions.
Additionally, breath analysis is noninvasive, real-time, painless, and
agreeable to patients. We have developed a wireless sensor array
based on single-stranded DNA (ssDNA)-functionalized single-walled
carbon nanotubes (SWNT) for the detection of a number of
physiological indicators in breath. Seven DNA sequences were used
to functionalize SWNT sensors to detect trace amount of methanol,
benzene, dimethyl sulfide, hydrogen sulfide, acetone, and ethanol,
which are indicators of heavy smoking, excessive drinking, and
diseases such as lung cancer, breast cancer, and diabetes. Our test
results indicated that DNA functionalized SWNT sensors exhibit
great selectivity, sensitivity, and repeatability; and different
molecules can be distinguished through pattern recognition enabled
by this sensor array. Furthermore, the experimental sensing results
are consistent with the Molecular Dynamics simulated ssDNAmolecular
target interaction rankings. Thus, the DNA-SWNT sensor
array has great potential to be applied in chemical or biomolecular
detection for the noninvasive diagnostics of diseases and personal
health monitoring.
Abstract: High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)
method was developed and validated for simultaneous estimation of
6-Gingerol(6G) and 6-Shogaol(6S) in joint pain relief gel containing
ginger extract. The chromatographic separation was achieved by
using C18 column, 150 x 4.6mm i.d., 5μ Luna, mobile phase
containing acetonitrile and water (gradient elution). The flow rate
was 1.0 ml/min and the absorbance was monitored at 282 nm. The
proposed method was validated in terms of the analytical parameters
such as specificity, accuracy, precision, linearity, range, limit of
detection (LOD), limit of quantification (LOQ), and determined
based on the International Conference on Harmonization (ICH)
guidelines. The linearity ranges of 6G and 6S were obtained over 20-
60 and 6-18 μg/ml respectively. Good linearity was observed over the
above-mentioned range with linear regression equation Y= 11016x-
23778 for 6G and Y = 19276x-19604 for 6S (x is concentration of
analytes in μg/ml and Y is peak area). The value of correlation
coefficient was found to be 0.9994 for both markers. The limit of
detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for 6G were
0.8567 and 2.8555 μg/ml and for 6S were 0.3672 and 1.2238 μg/ml
respectively. The recovery range for 6G and 6S were found to be
91.57 to 102.36 % and 84.73 to 92.85 % for all three spiked levels.
The RSD values from repeated extractions for 6G and 6S were 3.43
and 3.09% respectively. The validation of developed method on
precision, accuracy, specificity, linearity, and range were also
performed with well-accepted results.
Abstract: This research paper portrays a comparative analysis of
thermomechanical behaviour of Shielded Metal Arc Welding
(SMAW) and Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW) of low carbon
steel of AISI 1020 grade butt joints. The thermal history has been
obtained by experimental work. We have focused on temperature
dependent cooling rate as depicted by Adam’s two-dimensional
model. The effect of moving point heat source of SMAW and GTAW
on mechanical properties has been judged by optical and scanning
electron micrographs of different regions in weld joints. The
microhardness study has been carried to visualize the joint strength
due to formation of different phases.
Abstract: This paper discusses the thematic structure of Yoruba
popular music of Southwest Nigeria. It examines the use of themes
and variations in early and contemporary Juju music. The work is an
outcome of a research developed by the author in his doctoral studies
at the University of Lagos, Nigeria, with the aim of analyzing the
thematic and motivic developments in Yoruba popular genres.
Observations, interviews, live recordings and CDs were used as
methods for eliciting information. Field recordings and CDs of
selected musical samples were also transcribed and notated. The
research established the prevalent use of string of themes by Juju
musicians as a compositional technique in moving from one musical
section to another, as they communicate the verbal messages in their
song. These themes consist of the popular ‘call and response’ form
found in most African music, analogous to the western ‘subject and
answer’ style of the fugue or sonata form, although without the tonic–
dominant relations. Due to the short and repetitive form of African
melodies and rhythms, a theme is restated as a variation, where its
rhythmic and melodic motifs are stylistically developed and repeated,
but still retaining its recognizable core musical structure. The
findings of this study showed that Juju musicians generally often
employ a thematic plan where new themes are used to arrange the
songs into sections, and each theme is developed into variations in
order to further expand the music, eliminate monotony, and create
musical aesthetics, serving as hallmark of its musical identity. The
study established the musical and extra-musical attributes of the
genre, while recommending further research towards analyzing the
various compositional techniques employed in African popular
genres.